Synopsis from Kids Can Press:
Making his author-illustrator debut, Mike Shiell elevates the everyday to hilarious drama in this offbeat graphic novel for early readers.
In the front pocket of a faded pair of hand-me-down jeans, a tiny ball of lint lives alone. The days are pretty much the same for Linty: Some cardio. Sightseeing (“So blue!”). Solo Marco Polo. Until one day, everything changes. A boy, who has finally grown into the jeans, has put them on. All Linty knows is that he’s suddenly shaking and bouncing like crazy. And then visitors start arriving. There’s an acorn, a coin, pizza crust. Linty is a bit overwhelmed at first. Soon, though, the pocket is packed, and he’s learning all kinds of fun new things to do (imagine, Solo Marco Polo with friends!). But then, just as suddenly . . . Wash Day arrives. Is Linty’s world about to be turned upside down, again?
Cartoonist, animator and illustrator Mike Shiell makes his author-illustrator debut with this high-energy and very funny graphic novel for early readers. Silly and engaging, with loads of heart, it’s the perfect book to place in the hands of any reluctant or emerging reader. The relatable emotions of the lovable main character as portrayed in the story and the expressive illustrations support social-emotional learning with themes of making friends, embracing what life throws at you, and finding the courage to try new things. And the busy, brightly colored pages full of hysterical dialogue, asides and antics (ever wonder what happens to lint when it goes through the washer and dryer?) enhance visual literacy.
About: Linty: A Pocketful of Adventure is a children’s graphic novel written and illustrated by Mike Shiell. It will be published on 5/3/2022 by Kids Can Press, hardcover, 64 pages. The genres are middle grade fiction, children’s graphic novel, and comics. This book is intended for readers ages 6 to 9, grades 1 to 4. According to Kids Can Press’ website, it is “the largest Canadian-owned children’s publisher in the world.” The Toronto-based publisher has variety of books for all readers, from picture books to non-fiction, graphic novels, young adult, and more. Please see below for more information about the author, illustrator, and publisher.
My Experience: I started reading Linty: A Pocketful of Adventure for my toddler’s bedtime on 4/25/2022 and we finished it that same night. We have since read it twice a day every day after. A fun book to read! Linty lived alone and knew how to entertain himself. Since he was secluded from others, he didn’t know a lot of things. Despite not knowing friends and adventures outside of his pocket, he was not hesitant to share with new friends of what he knew. I liked Linty. He’s open minded to new friends and ideas. He embraced changes. He asked questions and took advices. My toddler and I enjoyed the illustrations. Linty’s many facial expressions made us laughed out loud. My toddler liked the many eyes of acorn spinning. She also enjoyed naming many of Linty’s new friends.
This book followed Linty, a piece of lint inside the front pocket of a pair of outgrown jeans. Every day it woke up and it followed a routine. It exercised, looked around, sat on its head, and played solo Marco Polo. Then one day, the pair of jeans was taken out to wear by a younger sibling. The kid was excited and danced wearing his new jeans. Linty was shaken and tossed around inside of his pocket. Unexpectedly, Linty was introduced to many new friends. The pocket suddenly became full of acorn, lollipop, cappy, shelly, half eaten pizza, cookies, peas, etc. Linty had fun with new friends. Then wash day arrived and Linty had never heard of it. He decided to stay in the pocket where he’s comfortable rather than go out to the unknown. Suddenly, his home inside the pocket was flooded. He got washed out of the pocket and felt like he was at sea. His adventures continued onto a place where it’s warm and he got to meet others like himself.
Linty: A Pocketful of Adventure was well written and illustrated. This story brought back fond memories about childhood. It’s funny how little kids always collect so many things in their pockets. Linty’s adventures were fun. My toddler loved him at sea among socks and underwear. The kid’s room was definitely a fun hide and seek game we like to play every time we read this book. This book will definitely be an exciting read for kids who already collected treasures in their pockets. My toddler has been holding onto her treasures in her hands so I don’t know how much she understands from this book but she got excited when she found Linty’s friends from inside the pocket out in the kid’s room. An excellent read and I recommend everyone to read this book!
I rate it 5 stars!
Buy it here for free shipping: Book Depository or Kid Can Press’ website
About the Author and Illustrator:
Like most kids, Mike Shiell liked to draw, and once he started to get recognition for his drawings, he drew more and more. He also liked to make people laugh, so put those two things together and you have a cartoonist on your hands.
Mike is inspired by the way kids create art that is so alive, loose and free. For kids, the act of creating art is just another time to play. This gives them the freedom to try out new ideas without the fear of failure.
Many of Mike’s funny ideas come from observing the world around him and twisting everyday occurrences into funny and sometimes totally absurd cartoons, drawings and short animated films.
Mike’s cartoons and illustrations have appeared in many magazines, books and greeting cards in North America and Europe. His animated series, The Melon Shorts, has appeared in numerous film festivals around the world and has won a number of awards.
Even on his most stressful and not-so-fun days, Mike reminds himself that he is making a living doing the thing that he had dreamed of doing when he was a little kid. (Photo and info obtained from Kids Can Press’ website, book pictures obtained from Edelweiss).
More Information about Kids Can Press
Website: http://www.kidscanpress.com | Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidscanpress Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidsCanBooks | Twitter: https://twitter.com/kidscanpress
***Many thanks to Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine
How Useful It Is 